Let’s face it, decorating a man cave for most gentlemen out there is a tough process. It’s not like you can just walk in the department store and find an isle dedicated to everything and anything man caves.
If you’re thinking about filling your space up with the same cheesy posters everyone else springs for, this guide is not for you. Let your wife decorate your space if you’re going to be that lazy.
Of course, if you can’t operate a saw, weld machine, or hammer either, you probably shouldn’t have a man cave in the first place. The truth is, this man cave decor guide is intended for gentlemen who want the best and aren’t afraid to build it.
It’s not even about buying pricey decor, it’s about getting creative when it comes to interior design. A man cave is a gentlemen’s private, masculine area of space, all I’m say is, show it some respect!
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to drain your wallet on a bunch of expensive decor pieces. In reality, some of the best man cave decor you can find includes do it yourself projects alongside vintage antiques. Both of which are cheap, in-expensive and make your space truly one of a kind. As you go through this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of what I mean. Just remember to keep an open mind and get creative! Think in terms of wood, metal and paint, and you’ll realize the bulk majority of these decor pieces are easy DIY weekend projects.
For the vintage antiques and cool collectibles, just take a stroll to any flee market or antique store. You’ll be amazed by what you find. Not to mention, how much money you’ll save. Even old rusty, industrial gears can make great additions to any man cave shelf. As you build your decor stash up, don’t worry about how a single item will look in your cave. If a knickknack seems interesting, buy it. At the end of the day a man cave is all about filling up your space with unique treasures that provoke your curiosity and offer a retreat from the rest of the world.
Take for instance an old metal sign that’s been around for one-hundred years. It has age, character, and every blemish shows it’s beautiful history. You simply cannot go wrong with it. In reality, the only way you can buy the wrong decor is by buying a bunch of mass-produced novelty items with no story to tell. Don’t go down the lazy route, you’ll regret it.
Put some blood, sweat and elbow grease into your cave. You’ll grow a greater appreciation for your manly space once it’s all finished. With that said, go ahead and explore this collection of the top 100 best man cave decor ideas below. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of interior design inspiration to work with.
Man Cave Decor Ideas
This man cave will appeal to the outdoorsman in all of us. The pine paneling is the ideal backdrop for a buckskin stretched across the wall. The loft staircase is a perfect way to put your ruggedness on display and that’s what man caves are all about.
Replicate this look by heading to your local home improvement store. You’ll be looking for tongue and groove pine paneling for your walls. You can construct the staircase from dimensional pine lumber so look for a mix of 4x4s, 2x10s, 2x6s, and 2x4s. Finish the completed product with an antique stain to get a look similar to the one above.
If photography is your thing, this man cave theme might be the ideal setting for kicking back. The dark walls and furniture along with pictures on the drying line give the space a darkroom feel. The coffee and end tables are built from rustic-finished wood, making them feel like workbenches in your photography man cave.
Choose a dark gray paint with a flat finish for the walls to keep the light reflection to a minimum. Dark pillows and a cotton-woven area rug will help to give the room the low-key, relaxed feeling that you’re looking for.
After a long day in the treestand, a cold beer and a bowl of chili can hit the spot. This bottle opener will come in handy when you’re looking to crack that cold one. An added benefit is the smile you’ll wear when you read it, even if you’ve come back gameless.
Mount this bottle opener somewhere it can be seen in front of the bar. Making it easily accessible means no one has to step into your office without your permission. You can also add a wastebasket underneath that collects bottle caps and displays your apex predator status.
If you’re a shooter looking for a way to add personality to your reloading bench or shop, this idea is a bullseye. Instead of scrapping your brass, save it for this project.
Solid wood is the best foundation for this project. Cut a 4-foot board and glue the two halves edge to edge to create a wide board that you can cut to shape. Lay the letter flat and coat it with a thin layer of epoxy. Seat the casings against the face of the wood before the epoxy dries. Once cured, this project is sure to make a loud statement.
Show off some hometown pride in your man cave. This piece can be hung on a wall or placed on a shelf to let everyone know where your heart lies.
Creating one of these for your own state might require some creativity but it’s surely doable. Print an outline of your state that fits the size piece you’re looking for. Matching paint to your state’s colors should be easy at your local hardware store. Plan ahead and complete this project in stages, removing masked layers as you go. Finishing with a coat of polyurethane will keep your project looking stately for years to come.
Sometimes less is more, and that can certainly be said for the corner of this man cave. A comfortable leather chair, an end table, and some drinkware might be all it takes if you’re a classy guy that likes to keep things simple.
Furniture similar to this can be had at a second-hand store for a song. Even if you can’t find an end table to match your chair’s color, refinishing one is always an option. Take care to pick out a whiskey decanter, as they often make an important statement in the center of a man cave.
If you’re going for an industrial look in your man cave, these pipe and wood shelves will help set the tone. The black steel pipe brackets holding up the warm, natural wood create the perfect setting for books and memorabilia.
While pipe shelving kits can be purchased, a trip to the plumbing section might be cheaper. Lengths of one-inch black pipe can be purchased in varying lengths but 6 to 8-inch is ideal. Don’t forget to purchase a cap and base for each pipe. To take your shelves up a notch, use live-edge slabs or unique hardwoods for shelf boards.
For barbers, haircutting is a passion and lifestyle. These antique straight razors and combs housed in shadowboxes are a nod to the history of the trade.
Man cave decor ideas like this require some legwork. Search online for antique shaving and barber tools. A second-hand store may also have a section for personal items where you might find these treasures. Find matching shadowboxes that fit your style. Pin the razors in place inside of the shadowboxes with foam inserts to achieve this sharp look.
If your man cave ranks form and function on the same level, this open shelf is a great choice for your most important books, gadgets, and gear. The steel brackets and wood plank offer a stable platform for storage and display.
If you don’t have a metal shop in your garage or lack the skills to fabricate these brackets yourself, a trip to a local metalworker’s shop will prove most effective. Work like this is a cake-walk to an experienced welder so you’ll be sure to get clean welds and square corners. For an added touch, source an old scaffolding plank from a local painting contractor or builder.
Gearheads rejoice, this man cave idea is for you. This clean and simple design makes a huge statement, especially in front of a large conference table like this.
Suspending modes of transportation from the wall isn’t as easy as finding a stud and popping a nail in. It takes careful planning and a professional’s touch. Once you’ve selected your vehicle of choice, take it to a local fabrication shop and explain what you’d like to do with it. They’ll be able to build brackets and hardware that will get your project off the ground.
To know what direction your man cave is headed in, sometimes you need to know where you’ve been. This beer-cap map of the United States will help you keep track of your favorite beers and where you were when you drank them.
Quarter-inch thick plywood is the perfect base for this project. Print a large outline of wherever you call home and use a jig-saw to cut it out. Press-fit the caps in from the back by drilling holes that are slightly smaller than the ribs on the caps.
If you’re a well-read man, chances are your man cave will show it. Make the best of underutilized corners with this rugged pipe bookcase idea.
Buying precut pipe at your local hardware store is the way to go here. Choose a length between 10 and 12-inches for your shelf spacing. You can vary the lengths but plan ahead so everything is square. Purchase enough 90-degree elbows to make the turns and start building from the bottom up. If your shelf sags, try tightening each section with pipe wrenches or pump pliers. You can also buy pipe hangers and plates to help carry the weight.
Sophisticated sports fans, this one is for you. Do you have a play that won State in high school? What about the formation that fattened your wallet in the last Super Bowl? Show it off in your man cave with this framed chalkboard idea.
The idea here is pretty straightforward. Scratch out your favorite plays on a chalkboard, fit an in-lay over top of it, and frame it in a black picture frame. A little eraser dust adds some authenticity as well. Basketball whiteboards work well too. Just make sure to reverse the color palette to show it off.
Auto racing is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. If you’re one of the millions of race-fans worldwide, your man cave could be the race day hub for all your friends and family.
A love for racing doesn’t necessarily mean you want to bring all the bright, flashy colors into your man cave. This room’s relaxed, low-key color palette is the perfect backdrop for wall-hangings of your favorite tracks. A wall dedicated to several of these prints will let the world know you’re a serious race-fan without being too gaudy or over-the-top.
Are you known for your ability to build? Did you spend some time in the construction trades? This is the perfect man cave coffee table to show that off.
This coffee table is built from standard dimensional 2×4 lumber. The table is built so it looks like a stack of wood in the back of a truck. The easiest way to replicate this look is to head to your home improvement store. Do your best to find kiln-dried lumber, otherwise, your coffee table might start moving on you as it dries. Lots of wood glue, clamps, and some steel legs are all you need to make this rugged table. Once it’s done, complete it with a selection of interesting coffee table books.
This ammo-crate blanket chest would make an excellent addition to any shooter or military buff’s man cave. At the end of a bed or pushed up against the wall as a bench, it will serve as both additional seating and extra storage.
The first stop for mimicking this bench would be an Army Navy Surplus store. If they don’t have one there, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. If that doesn’t pan out, you can build this crate on your own out of 1×6-inch pine boards. Use a stencil and spray paint to make the front of the box say something that goes with your man cave’s theme.
There’s something about old baseball leather that makes us all feel like kids on the field again. This fan’s display of catchers’ and umpires’ masks is understated and classic.
Check yard sales and sports consignment shops first as the best deals can be had there. If you can’t find enough masks by going down those paths, you can certainly find them online. Paint some 12×18-inch panels with a matte or flat finish so the mask stands out against it. Hang the masks with inconspicuously placed wire ties through the panel.
Live-edge slabs can make a huge impact on a man cave. Creative uses like this look great in both modern spaces and lodge-themed rooms.
Not just for coffee and dining room tables, large slabs can be cut in two and mounted to the front of a cabinet to provide a rustic effect. Your local hardwood dealer will have slabs set aside for projects like this so ask them to book-match one for you. Mounting them to a cabinet is easy. Cut them to length, use construction adhesive, and screw them in from the back of the cabinet door.
If you’re a world traveler, let your man cave be a window into your jet-setting soul. Topographic maps of your favorite destinations make colorful wall art. The industrial fixtures in the room keep the theme interesting and functional.
You may be able to find an industrial cart for a coffee table by contacting some long-established factories. If they have one that’s broken or difficult to wheel around, you may get a deal. Find some construction lights with cages that will keep the space lit but also give it the industrial feel you’re looking for.
Your sports-themed man cave can also display your patriotism with this American flag made from baseball bats.
This project requires some skill but with the right tools and know-how, you can do it. Find a source for cheap wooden bats. You’ll need 13, but with a project like this, you might want to order extra. Using a bandsaw and a custom-built jig, cut the label-side of the bat off from the knob to the end. Cutting a little less than half will give the best appearance. Paint them first, then assemble them on a plywood backer, attaching the bats from behind to hide the screws.
Let your man cave evoke your inner Howard Hughes, sans the shut-in. The aeronautical theme in this space is great for discussing business or entertaining a few friends over a glass of whiskey.
Replicate this space by purchasing period-correct leather couches and cabinetry. A travel trunk in the middle serves well as a coffee table to display your favorite models on. Aeronautical themed prints can be found online and framed to help this man cave’s style take flight.
Pilots and engineers will enjoy decorating their man caves with detailed prints and plans of their favorite machines. This airplane patent print will give your man cave a classy touch that shows your appreciation for the finer details.
The brick backdrop really helps this print stand out, but a subdued and flat paint color will keep your visitors’ eyes on your art. A few of these prints placed around your man cave will give your company something to discuss, cocktail in hand.
Man Cave Decor FAQs
How do you decorate a man cave?
Let your interests dictate the theme. If you love auto racing, choose classy prints of your favorite race cars. If you’re into hunting and fishing, give the cave a lodge feel by incorporating your trophies and gear. You’re the one that will be spending your time in there, so make sure the space represents you.
What should I put in my man cave?
Man caves don’t have to be full of neon beer signs and phones shaped like football helmets. You can include items that suit your taste; leather furniture, rustic lighting fixtures, and rugged woodwork.
As far as memorabilia goes, only bring items into the room that mean something to you. These can be autographed sports balls, your favorite scaled models, or your most prized books. Cluttering your man cave will quickly turn it from a relaxing haven to just another storage room.
